CFC KEPT BUZZ ABOUT CORN FARMING HUMMING THROUGH DC THIS SUMMER

AUGUST 2013

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(Posted Mon. Aug 26th, 2013)

Aug. 26: The Corn Farmers Coalition educational program had another successful summer in the nation’s capital, accumulating more than 30 million media impressions during June and July. The fact-based campaign, now in its fifth year, continues to focus on members of Congress, their staffs, administration officials, and opinion leaders in the news media, think tanks and environmental groups inside the DC beltway.

“CFC is about putting a face on family farmers each year, even if only for a short time,” said National Corn Growers Association Grower Services Action Team Chair Brandon Hunnicutt, a farmer from Giltner, Neb. “We take the simplest of facts, mainly from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and let them tell the positive story of how farming is becoming greener, more efficient and more productive.”

Today, farmers are using technology to farm better and to start a dialogue about food with the non-farm public. The Corn Farmers Coalition is part of this effort to engage the public, starting with elected officials, in a discussion and to reaffirm farmer’s commitment to continuous improvement and safe, abundant and affordable food.

Large-format ads were used in heavily in the DC Metro system. In addition, online advertising appeared in publications such as Politico, Washington Post, the New York Times, Roll Call, National Journal, and Congressional Quarterly.

“CFC is a part of the fabric in the capital and has developed instant recognition with this key demographic,” said NCGA President Pam Johnson, an Iowa farmer. “Our city cousins are largely removed from their agricultural roots so it is more important than ever to make and maintain this connection.”

CFC, which is sponsored by the National Corn Growers Association and its state affiliates, showcases how innovative and high-tech corn farmers have become by introducing a foundation of facts about farmers and farming.

The coalition initiative resulted in the development of valuable communications resources, including a compilation of facts, reports and statistics that are being consistently used across the United States, as corn organizations and advocates tell the corn story.